Nigerian forward Chukwukelu joins SK Detmarovice after fleeing Ukraine
By: Johnpaul Nnamdi
Former FC Nyva Vinnytsia winger Chukwukelu Ignatius has pitched tent with Czech Republic side SK Detmarovice after he struggled to flee Ukraine due to the invasion of Ukraine by Russian troops.
Recognizing the dangers of remaining in Ukraine with FC Spectrum, Chukwukelu decided to join thousands of athletes who made their way out of Ukraine instead of being trapped in the war.
“I lived in the center of the city and my house was 15 minutes away from where the war broke out,” Chukwukelu said as he narrated his ordeal when the war started. “I drove for seven days just to find safety. I was later forced to park my car and walked to the nearest border which took about five days. I stayed out in the cold and it was really terrible,”
The forward who has featured for several Ukrainian clubs in the lower division joined relegation-threatened SK Detmarovice in the Czech Republic.
He, however, stressed that his aim is to help the club escape the drop and also get some comfort after the trauma he experienced while fleeing Ukraine.
“Coming to this club, I saw that they were close to relegation, and my first instinct was to help them to beat that drop and also get my full football mentality right and set up. I hope to be well prepared before the summer transfer,” Chukwukelu noted.
SK Detmarovice are currently 13th on the 14 team log of Group F in the Czech Fourth Division.
